Moments of Transition

How the world could have been. Obviously we can’t go back and change history and prevent the terrible tragedy that was the 9/11, but we could think about how we reacted to those attacks and how we continue to react to what happened on that day.

Shortly after the attacks, I thought about how people would change as a result of what has happened. I was quick to realize that the world had changed and that we were entering a moment of transition as to the shape of that change. As an optimist, I thought that maybe 9/11 would be a wake-up call for people. We would realize the dangers of religion and start to move away from ancient superstitions and start to work together to create a bright future. I thought that maybe the euphoria of helping others after 9/11 would translate to a rise in human compassion around the globe.

Then there is what actually happened. America became consumed with revenge and lashed out at a country that had absolutely nothing to do with the attacks. We invaded that country and spent over a decade at war and nearly a decade and a half in a perpetual state of war – we are still actually in a state of war today. We became paranoid and have allowed our Presidents (both Republican and Democrat) to take away our rights and restrict our freedoms. The airports are now practically strip searching people without probable cause or a warrant and while people complain, they also comply.

Sure, my expectations were naïve in those moments of transition that followed the 9/11 attacks but preceded the invasion of Iraq. But when we talk about a “pre-9/11” time, it is usually in the context of how trusting an innocent we were as opposed to now in the “post-9/11” era in which anyone can be a terrorist hiding a bomb in a shoe, a bottle of shampoo, or anyplace that isn’t a gun. Guns, perfectly okay – This is a’merica, fuck yeah!

We have metal detectors that visually rape you and are forced to squeeze all liquids in ridiculous four ounce bottles that all must fit in a quart sized bag — as if poison gas couldn’t be smuggled on a plane in a four ounce bottles that fit in a quart sized bag. Does any of this make us safer? Not really, but people feel safer, so it is a win.

Last week, the President was strongly angling to start another war in Syria which could turn into a war with Russia. Fortunately, he was forced to consider a peaceful solution to the current situation. For now, we are in the moments before the next moments of transition.

Instead of the endless self-reflection about 9/11, these are moments we should be pondering about. How will we react in the face of the next moment of transition? Will be become more paranoid and bitter or will use tragedy to create a better world?

This shouldn’t just apply on a global scale either. We should think about this in our daily lives too. When something bad happens to us or when we are treated unfairly, how should we react? Some anger is obviously appropriate, but I think we are best served by moderating our anger and acting with reason and compassion. We can control our anger and let it fuel our actions, but we must be vigilant and not allow our anger to control our actions. This to me is the great lesson of 9/11 – a lesson too few people have learned.

The other lesson of 9/11 is that it sucks when something horrible happens on your birthday, but it is still your birthday and you should fucking enjoy it. So yeah, terrorists attacked America on my birthday, but fuck them, I’m still eating cake and opening presents – btw, there is a paypal link in the sidebar should anyone feel the urge to partake in that second aspect of the custom – in the great birthday tradition. Thanks.